A better goal ratio than Ronaldo: The best stats as Messi hits 500

Lionel Messi reached the milestone of 500 career goals for Barcelona and Argentina against Valencia in La Liga on Sunday.

The 28-year-old's strike at Camp Nou moved his tally for Barca to 450 goals, while he scored his 50th for his country with a penalty against Bolivia during last month's international break.

With another career landmark reached, we look at the best Opta stats from Messi's 500 career goals.

Messi's career is constantly compared to that of his Real Madrid rival Cristiano Ronaldo, with fans of both players debating who should be considered the world's best. 

Ronaldo has already reached the 500-goal milestone, but Messi has played in 159 fewer matches, giving him a better goal-per-game ratio.

Lionel Messi – 0.79 (500 goals in 632 games)
Cristiano Ronaldo – 0.68 (539 goals in 791 games) 

Dani Alves – 42
Andres Iniesta – 33
Xavi – 31
Pedro – 25
Luis Suarez – 16
Cesc Fabregas – 15
Neymar – 14

2004-05 – 1 goal
2005-06 – 10 goals
2006-07 – 19 goals
2007-08 – 21 goals
2008-09 – 41 goals
2009-10 – 48 goals
2010-11 – 57 goals
2011-12 – 82 goals
2012-13 – 69 goals
2013-14 – 48 goals
2014-15 – 62 goals
2015-16 – 42 goals and counting

Messi won an Olympic Gold medal with Argentina's Under-23 team, but is still waiting for a first senior honourm having been a runner-up in the World Cup and Copa America over the last two seasons.

Barcelona – 0.86 (450 goals in 525 games)
Argentina – 0.47 (50 goals in 107 games)

1-15 mins – 50 goals
16-30 mins – 79 goals
31-45 mins – 92 goals
46-60 mins – 70 goals
61-75 mins – 79 goals
76-90 mins – 129 goals
Extra time – 1 goal

Messi has scored three or more goals in 38 matches in his career – 33 trebles, a four-goal haul on four occasions and one match when he netted five.

Left foot – 406 goals
Right foot – 71 goals
Header – 21 goals
Other body part – 2 goals

But Real Madrid have also suffered, with Messi's 21 goals in El Clasico giving him the famous fixture's goal record. He has netted against a total of 88 different teams.

Atletico Madrid – 25 
Sevilla – 25
Real Madrid – 21 
Valencia – 20
Osasuna – 19
Athletic Bilbao – 19
Getafe – 18

Messi has 309 goals in La Liga, more than any other player in the competition's history.

2005 – 3 goals
2006 – 12 goals
2007 – 31 goals
2008 – 22 goals
2009 – 41 goals
2010 – 60 goals
2011 – 59 goals
2012 – 91 goals
2013 – 45 goals
2014 – 58 goals
2015 – 52 goals
2016 – 26 goals and counting